Horsmonden

Travel Guide

Furnace Pond: Horsmonden's 17th century iron foundry The north-east end of Furnace Pond. The head of water from this 16 acre lake once powered the giant hammer of John Browne's forge, the flames of which could be "seen about the country at 10 miles distance". With the abundance of iron ore in the local clay and of wood to fuel the blast furnace, Horsmonden in 1613 had 200 men employed in its iron foundry under John Browne. Such was Browne's skill in casting and proving guns that he was later granted a monopoly as "Gunfounder for the King's Service". In 1638 Charles I himself was here to watch a gun being cast. Browne also supplied guns to the Dutch, at that time the greatest sea power. Then, on the arrival of Cromwell and the Commonwealth, he was quick to switch his allegiance and was casting guns for Parliament until his death in 1651. When this former King's Gunfounder was buried, an impressive alabaster and black marble monument was erected to him in Horsmonden parish church 917323. But it stands there no longer. A 19th century Rector, an ardent Royalist, could not abide to see a memorial in his church to a man who had turned his coat for Cromwell, and removed it! See other snippets from the surprising history of Horsmonden at: https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=2_ZstVBZSfIC&lpg=PA1&pg=PA99#v=onepage&q=&f=true There is little now to show for this once great industry apart from such local names as Flightshot Farm TQ6840, Furnace Pond, and the old Gun Inn, and several chalybeate springs. See also Gallery at: https://www.geograph.org.uk/gallery/the_history_of_horsmonden_8738
Photo by D Gore (Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0)
Footpath junction in Sprivers Garden land The High Weald Landscape Trail (long distance path) follows the National Trust House drive, then it turns right towards Brenchley Road. A footpath also heads straight on towards Horsmonden Road, near Burrs Hill.
Photo by David Anstiss (Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0)
Kissing Gate in Sprivers Garden Woodland This gate is leads from the National Trust land towards Marle Place Road. The High Weald Landscape Trail heads right along the Garden's drive towards Hazel Street from Horsmonden.
Photo by David Anstiss (Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0)
Oasthanger, Lamberhurst Road, Horsmonden, Kent
Photo by Oast House Archive (Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0)
Orchard near Horsmonden This apple orchard is seen from a path from Goudhurst Road to Lewes Heath.
Photo by David Anstiss (Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 2.0)
ORIDA Maidstone Hotel

ORIDA Maidstone Hotel

3 out of 5
Bearsted Rd Maidstone England
Stay at this hotel in Maidstone. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and a fitness center. Our guests praise the breakfast and the pool in our reviews. Popular ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,280 reviews)
Do not get put in rm 237. The pool pump keeps you awake all night and to make it worse recemption knows about it ???? Forget the bar for meals. I was forgotten the first night, over an hour for fish and chips and onky got them because i went back up to the bar and asked where it was. Second night ...

Reviewed on 24 March 2026

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ORIDA Maidstone Hotel
Spring River Ebbsfleet by Marston's Inns

Spring River Ebbsfleet by Marston's Inns

3 out of 5
Talbot Lane Gravesend England
The price is AED 200 per night from Apr 12 to Apr 13
AED 200
AED 240 total
12 Apr - 13 Apr
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in Gravesend. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms in our reviews. ...
9/10 Wonderful! (1,000 reviews)
Cleaners every 3 days but room was clean. Not always hot water. Road noise.

Reviewed on 23 March 2026

Spring River Ebbsfleet by Marston's Inns
Delta Hotels by Marriott Tudor Park Country Club

Delta Hotels by Marriott Tudor Park Country Club

4 out of 5
Ashford Road Maidstone England
The price is AED 312 per night from Mar 29 to Mar 30
AED 312
AED 375 total
29 Mar - 30 Mar
includes taxes & fees
Book a stay at this spa hotel in Maidstone. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (937 reviews)
Great hotel with superb facilities. I didnt eat in the main restaurant but the bar food was quality.

Reviewed on 19 March 2026

Delta Hotels by Marriott Tudor Park Country Club
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Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Extraordinary Huts

Extraordinary Huts

3 out of 5
2 Nicole's Cottages Rye England
Stay at this cabin in Rye. Enjoy free parking and a garden. Popular attractions Camber Sands and St. Thomas the Martyr are located nearby.
Extraordinary Huts
The Lower Bell

The Lower Bell

3 out of 5
201 Old Chatham Road Aylesford England
Stay at this apartment in Aylesford. Enjoy free parking, a business center, and daily housekeeping. Popular attractions Oare Marshes Nature Reserve and Kent ...
The Lower Bell
Character Country Retreat with no contact check in/out, in historic 1066 country

Character Country Retreat with no contact check in/out, in historic 1066 country

Broad Oak ENG
Stay at this cottage in Rye. Enjoy free WiFi, a garden, and laundry facilities. Popular attractions Great Dixter House and Gardens and Carr Taylor Vineyard are ...
9.8/10 Exceptional! (218 reviews)
Great location and a lovely retreat.

Reviewed on 28 February 2026

Character Country Retreat with no contact check in/out, in historic 1066 country
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Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Hop Farm Family Park which includes land animals and zoo animals

Hop Farm Family Park

Bring your family to Hop Farm Family Park and have a fun-filled day at this amusement park in East Peckham. Check out the spas and lively bars in this quaint area.

Hop Farm Family Park
Penshurst Place and Gardens which includes a fountain and a garden

Penshurst Place and Gardens

Find out about the history of Penshurst with a stop at Penshurst Place and Gardens. Amble within picturesque gardens or visit the spas in this relaxing area.

Penshurst Place and Gardens
Tranquil river boat trip

Tonbridge Castle

Tonbridge Castle is just one of the places to see in Tonbridge, so why not enjoy the other things to explore during your travels? Make time to visit the area's spas, or simply enjoy its top-notch restaurants.

Tonbridge Castle
Dog walking and cycling park with lakes, rivers, woods, fields and a great little cafe that sells homemade burgers

Haysden Country Park

Explore the great outdoors at Haysden Country Park, a lovely green space in Tonbridge. Make time to visit the area's spas, or simply enjoy its lively bars.

Haysden Country Park

Balfour Winery

You can enjoy a tasting or tour at Balfour Winery during your travels to Staplehurst.

Balfour Winery

The Hop Farm Country Park

Explore the great outdoors at The Hop Farm Country Park, a lovely green space in Yalding. Check out the spas and lively bars in this quaint area.

The Hop Farm Country Park